Happy Birthday Roswell!

My baby Roswell Harmon turned 3 today!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

 My sweet baby

 My boy was born 8 pounds 1 ounce

Today he is 30 pounds 12 ounces (a pound less than Elliott!)

When asked what he wanted for his birthday, all he wanted was a BUNNY CAKE! *he had to say it shouting.  (His favorite stuffed animal is a bunny that he sleeps with.)  So of course, that's what I was going to make!

He was so excited when he woke up and saw his bunny.

 He had a fun and busy day.

I love you my little mischevious boy! Life is full of adventure and surprises now that you're here!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

More Swimming

The boys have loved taking swim lessons this year!  We have even been able to let them have fun and practice in Nama & Papa Earl's hotel pool.  Here are some of the fun pictures of their good work.  For anyone that has been swimming with us in the past and have been witnesses to the clinging Earl boys, these are HUGE accomplishments!

 Dono coming out of the water.

 Elliott kicking

 Roswell swimming to the ball.

  

 Ross noodle swimming, he even swam with these float devices on his own!

 Lots of fun!

Avery really enjoys swimming too, she will kick and even go under the water and not scream.  This day however, she had a little temperature so we decided to stay out of the cool water.

Piano Girls

Avery loves to play the piano any chance she can.  She especially loves to help mommy when she practices!

 She even loves to turn the pages.  Actually she just likes the paper falling.  :)

Neener neener!

This girl has such a fun personality!

Get Healthy Now! 5K

We woke up early and were able to support Dan in a 5K that he ran entitled Antioch Cares: Get Healthy Now!  Its purpose was to combat childhood obesity.  They were going to send obese children of the community to "sports camp" (a nice name for fat camp) and teach them about nutrition and exercise to correct their lifestyle of bad habits.

 pre-run

I forgot my camera, so I used my phone.  I took the perfect picture of Dan's finish and it included the runner's clock.  In my excitement at the picture, I didn't save it and I lost it forever.  I was so disappointed.

Dan finished in 27:31!  Two minutes less than the 5K just a month ago!  Great job Babe!

 Here are the postings of the winners of each category.  You can see that Dan got 3rd place in the men's 30-34 division.  Dan was thrilled! (We were too!)

 Dan with his 3rd place medal.

Coming up: Dan will be running a 5K in July/Aug to help pregnancy services of Lansing (helping to educate mothers in choosing adoption rather than abortion for unwanted pregnancies) and then in Oct. Dan will be running a half-marathon up on beautiful Mackinac Island!

We're so proud of Dan and his wonderful accomplishments!

Happy #5 Elliott!

Happy Birthday to my sweet 5 year-old!

Cutie Elliott

 Look how you've grown!

We decided to take the family to celebrate at Jumpin Jax in Lansing.  Elliott really wanted his friend Jared to come too.  Since it was his birthday, we said sure!

 These 3 can play hard!  And they have a hard time being still for a picture too.

 Ross on the play equipment.

 Dan, Avery, and Nama chilling in the lounge chairs.

 Hurrah!  A good picture of the boys.

 Dono on a good bounce.

 Dan got to join in on the fun too! (so did mommy)

 The birthday boy.

 When Avery is away from mommy, she's happy if she has food.

 I love you Sue!  I kept interupting her reading her book.

 The 3 amigos.

 Rossy asked Sue, "Can I sit on your lap?"

 Elliott wanted a spiderman birthday cake.  Nama and Papa bought a cool candle, so I thought it would be easy to make a web for him to sit on.  It didn't turn out the way I envisioned, far from it.  I was so frustrated!  But Elliott was excited and that is what's most important!

Happy Birthday my big boy!

Random Pics

Here were some pictures that I forgot to post that I thought were too cute to pass up.

 Avery in her tutu bathing suit on our vacation in Nauvoo, IL.

 A serious swinger.

 There's my happy girl!

All 4 chilluns swinging.

Happy Birthday Princess Avery!

Happy 1st Birthday Avery!

We can't believe that a year has already passed!

Just yesterday this was how we saw you.

Avery new in the hospital.

 Our 1 year-old waving while we watch brothers swim.

 The birthday girl - how could you tell?

 She LOVED opening presents, but then again, who doesn't?

 Her cake.  My first try at fondant.

 We had our friends the Smiths, and Nama and Papa over to celebrate.  She liked us singing to her.

 It's my b-day and I'll cry if I want to... until...

 she realized it was to eat her cake!

 mmmmm...

 This stuff is good!  I love how she lifts her eyebrows to give a smile!

 satisfied to make a mess.

She tried to eat as much as she could.

Happy Birthday my sweet baby girl!



Swimming Lessons 2011

With 4 kids living around a lot of lakes, we knew that we needed to take some swimming lessons.  The boys used to become leeches whenever we tried swimming in a pool.  Papa Elliott wanted to give all his grandkids the gift of sports, so he was happy to pay for swimming lessons and any other sport they wanted to pursue.

Donovan and Elliott get to be in the same class - the Eels. 

Elliott swimming with Coach Cathy. 

Donovan with Coach Cathy - sorry for the blur. 

 Roswell's turn in the Blowfish class. (younger than 3 year-olds)

 Was very brave sitting and waiting.

 Then he had to go to the water.  Here he is telling Coach Colin that "I do not want to swim".  He is such a hard headed boy when it comes to persuading him to do something he doesn't want to do.  It has been a bit of a struggle!  But getting better - thank goodness.

Ah!  Success!  Coaches Colin and Oliver have been soooooooo patient and kind with this stubborn child.  He loves it more each day!